カタカナ
katakana
In Japan, katakana is written カタカナ.
Katakana is one of the two Japanese syllabic scripts, used mainly for foreign words, foreign names and sound effects.
What does it mean word for word?
The name joins a word meaning partial or one sided with the word for the syllabic scripts.
How do you pronounce it?
Say katakana as four even syllables.
When do people say it?
The name is often written in katakana itself, as カタカナ and can also be written with two Chinese characters.
Did you know?
- While usually for foreign words, Japanese people use katakana for emphasis, similar to how English speakers might use *italics* or ALL CAPS.
- In digital contexts, writers often use katakana for 'robot' sounds or computer-generated voices to give them a mechanical, non-human feel.
- Modern Japanese often uses katakana to write the names of female characters in novels to give them a more modern or exotic feeling.
Examples in context
- これはカタカナで書いてあります。Kore wa katakana de kaite arimasu.This is written in katakana.
- カタカナを練習しています。Katakana o renshuu shite imasu.I am practicing katakana.
- 外来語はカタカナで書くことが多いです。Gairaigo wa katakana de kaku koto ga ooi desu.Foreign loanwords are often written in katakana.
Example conversation
Two students are studying Japanese together.
- 陽葵 Himari健太くん、この単語は何て読むの？Kenta-kun, kono tango wa nante yomu no?Kenta, how do you read this word?
- 健太 Kentaそれはカタカナで書いてあるよ。Sore wa katakana de kaite aru yo.That is written in katakana.
- 陽葵 Himariあ、本当だ。読み方がわからない。A, honto da. Yomikata ga wakaranai.Oh, you're right. I don't know how to read it.
- 健太 Kentaいいよ、僕が教えてあげるね。Ii yo, boku ga oshiete ageru ne.It's okay, I'll teach you.
